Do you need to travel abroad suddenly but don't have a passport? This can be stressful, especially with the thorough passport application process. Luckily, there's a solution. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) offers the Tatkaal Passport service to help applicants get their passports quickly.
Wondering what a Tatkaal passport is or what the Tatkaal passport means? Tatkaal passports are perfect for those who need to travel urgently. This service allows you to apply for and obtain your passport promptly.
This article will explain the fees, application process, and documents required to obtain a Tatkaal passport in India. Let's dive in and understand the process!
What does the Tatkaal Passport mean?
The Indian government issues a Tatkaal passport for urgent travel needs. The Tatkaal scheme was launched to provide faster processing of passport applications. It allows you to skip the otherwise time-consuming process.
The Tatkaal scheme is available for both new passport applications and renewals. However, the Tatkaal passport fees in India are higher than that for a regular passport.
Who is Eligible for a Tatkaal Passport?
The Regional Passport Office determines whether to issue a Tatkaal passport. Not every applicant is eligible for the Tatkaal scheme. The following categories do not qualify for a Tatkaal passport:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Applicants Born to Indian Parents in a Foreign Country | Individuals of Indian descent born abroad who are eligible for citizenship based on their parentage. |
| Individuals Deported to India | Persons who have been sent back to India from other countries due to legal or immigration issues. |
| Repatriated Persons | Individuals returning to their native country or citizenship after living abroad for an extended period. |
| Citizens by Registration or Naturalisation | Indian residents who have obtained citizenship through official registration or naturalization processes |
| Residents of Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir | People living in the specific regions of Nagaland or Jammu and Kashmir with unique regional citizenship considerations. |
| Naga Origin Outside Nagaland | Indian citizens of Naga descent living outside their traditional homeland in Nagaland |
| Short Validity Passport Renewals | Applicants renewing passports that were initially issued for a short validity period due to specific circumstances. |
| Major Name Change Applicants | Individuals applying for a passport with significant changes to their name due to legal, personal, or marital reasons. |
| Minor Residents of Nagaland | Children living in Nagaland applying for passports with parental or guardian consent. |
| Lost or Stolen Passport Re-issues | Individuals reapplying for a passport after losing or having their original passport stolen. |
| Criminal Court Case Involvement | Applicants involved in ongoing or past criminal cases that might impact their passport eligibility. |
| Changed Appearance or Sex | Individuals needing a new passport due to significant changes in their appearance or gender. |
| Adopted Children | Children adopted by Indian or foreign parents, requiring documentation to reflect their new legal guardianship. |
| Minors with a Single Parent | Children who have only one legal parent and need appropriate documentation for passport issuance. |
| Adverse Police Report | Applicants with a negative police report history, often under scrutiny for security reasons. |
| Children Born Out of Wedlock | Children born to single parents outside of marriage, needing special documentation for passport applications. |
| Children Born Out of Surrogacy | Children born through surrogacy arrangements, requiring specific documentation to establish legal parentage |
| Damaged Passport Cases | Applicants whose passports are extensively damaged, necessitating a reissue to ensure document integrity. |
| Change of Family Member Name | Applications involving changes to family member names, such as spouse or parents, due to marriage or legal updates. |
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Applicants Born to Indian Parents in a Foreign Country | Individuals of Indian descent born abroad who are eligible for citizenship based on their parentage. |
| Individuals Deported to India | Persons who have been sent back to India from other countries due to legal or immigration issues. |
| Repatriated Persons | Individuals returning to their native country or citizenship after living abroad for an extended period. |
| Citizens by Registration or Naturalisation | Indian residents who have obtained citizenship through official registration or naturalization processes |
| Residents of Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir | People living in the specific regions of Nagaland or Jammu and Kashmir with unique regional citizenship considerations. |
| Naga Origin Outside Nagaland | Indian citizens of Naga descent living outside their traditional homeland in Nagaland |
| Short Validity Passport Renewals | Applicants renewing passports that were initially issued for a short validity period due to specific circumstances. |
| Major Name Change Applicants | Individuals applying for a passport with significant changes to their name due to legal, personal, or marital reasons. |
| Minor Residents of Nagaland | Children living in Nagaland applying for passports with parental or guardian consent. |
| Lost or Stolen Passport Re-issues | Individuals reapplying for a passport after losing or having their original passport stolen. |
| Criminal Court Case Involvement | Applicants involved in ongoing or past criminal cases that might impact their passport eligibility. |
| Changed Appearance or Sex | Individuals needing a new passport due to significant changes in their appearance or gender. |
| Adopted Children | Children adopted by Indian or foreign parents, requiring documentation to reflect their new legal guardianship. |
| Minors with a Single Parent | Children who have only one legal parent and need appropriate documentation for passport issuance. |
| Adverse Police Report | Applicants with a negative police report history, often under scrutiny for security reasons. |
| Children Born Out of Wedlock | Children born to single parents outside of marriage, needing special documentation for passport applications. |
| Children Born Out of Surrogacy | Children born through surrogacy arrangements, requiring specific documentation to establish legal parentage |
| Damaged Passport Cases | Applicants whose passports are extensively damaged, necessitating a reissue to ensure document integrity. |
| Change of Family Member Name | Applications involving changes to family member names, such as spouse or parents, due to marriage or legal updates. |
Now that you know about the Tatkaal passport and its eligibility, let’s learn about its application procedure.
How to Apply for a Tatkaal Passport?
Applying for a Tatkaal passport is straightforward. Follow these steps:
- Register on the Official Portal:
Visit the official Passport Seva website. - Login:
Use your ID and password to log in. - Select Application Type:
Choose between 'Fresh' or 'Re-Issue’ as per your need. - Choose the Scheme Type:
Select the 'Tatkaal' option. - Fill Out the Application Form:
Download the application form and fill it out carefully. - Submit the Form:
Submit the completed form online. - Complete Payment:
Pay the required Tatkaal passport fees in India online. - Print Receipt:
Print out the receipt of the payment done online. - Book an Appointment:
Schedule an appointment at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK).
Following these steps will help you apply for a Tatkaal passport efficiently.
Documents Required for Tatkaal Passport
While applying for a Tatkaal Passport in India, any three of the following documents can be submitted:
- Voter ID
- Aadhaar Card
- Ration Card
- Certificate of OBC/SC/ST
- Arms Licence
- PAN Card
- Gas Bill
- Property Documents
- Birth Certificate
- Service Identification
- Pension Documents
- Student’s Identity Card from a recognised institution
- Kisan Passbook
- Post Office Passbook
- Bank Passbook
Tatkaal Passport Fees in India
When applying, the Tatkaal passport fees in India vary based on age and the number of pages in the passport. Here are the details:
Application for a Fresh Passport
| Age of the Applicant | Number of Pages | Validity | Tatkaal Passport Fees (in Rs.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 15 years | 36 pages | 10 years | 3,000 |
| 15 to 18 years | 36 pages | 10 years | 3,500 |
| 15 to 18 years | 60 pages | 10 years | 4,000 |
| 18 years or older |